[MattR]

• During the same time period, GGNA produced the XCO, which upgraded the EC and XC standard 43mm WP forks to 46mm Ohlins forks. They also produced the SE model, which were custom built XC models. The SE could be ordered with full 46mm Ohlins fork and Ohlins shock, gold anodized D.I.D. Dirt Star U-line rims, Enduro Engineering hand guards, WER steering damper and custom suspension set up specific to the riders specifications.
• GGNA imported the XC into the US market along side the EC and MC from 1999 until the factory took over distribution in 2002, transferring exclusive distribution rights in the US to GasGas Motors of America (GGMA) half way through the 2002 model year.
• After GasGas switched to 43mm inverted forks on the ECs in 2000 - an XC actually cost less to produce than an EC (cheaper ignition, no lights, less wiring, etc.). An FMF fatty pipe, although more durable and providing more low end power actually costs less than the messico that it replaced (and didn't perform as well either...). Note that a catalytic converter etc was never used during the years in question.
• GGNA charged higher prices for bike "customization" and parts, but GasGas Motors America (GGMA) dropped both bike and parts prices when they took over importation. Given basic economics, the drop in prices should have led to higher sales. The president of GasGas Motors America, Juan Romero, had financial and legal expertise but initially lacked motorcycle industry experience. He was brought in to turn around the american market financially given that GGNA wasn't able to live up to financial obligations (a nice way of saying they didn't pay their bills to gasgas corporate). GasGas Motors America had large expenditures to set up warehousing & hire a full staff in florida. During this same period - the dollar was falling more than 30% relative to the euro - decreasing profit back to GasGas Corporate... Also, the new 450 4 stroke, was having some serious "teething problems"... All of this led to the budget for effective advertising and promotion (sponsoring a few top riders, etc.) being very tight and the sales volume fell. A few talented and enthusiastic sales reps became disillusioned and left during this period, which didn't help matters...
• When GasGas Motors America (GGMA) took over import and distribution from GGNA in 2002, they eliminated the XC model and began importing only the European spec EC and MC models. The US EC models were not imported with signal lamps or mirrors included. During the transition, some of the EC’s were equipped with FMF “Fatty” pipes and silencers and some with Gas Gas branded pipes and silencers. MC models were equipped with Messico pipes and Gas Gas brand silencers. Dealers were upset with loss of the popular XC and petitioned GGMA for a return of the model. High production costs prevented Gas Gas from building the custom XC models so a compromise was reached when the factory agreed to leave off items from the European EC as it was imported into the US.
• The EC “Dealer Edition” was created by GasGas Motors America early in the 2003 model year in response to the elimination of the US exclusive XC models created by GGNA for NETRA enduro and hare scrambles racing. The DE was created with US dealer input, hence the designation “Dealer Edition” or DE. Dealers had the option to add optional parts and accessories to the model as they, or the customer, desired. The EC “Dealer Edtion” or DE included many of the features of the EC – it had FMF “Fatty” and Turbine Core II exhaust, Michelin S-12 tires, D.I.D. U-line rims, signal lamps or mirrors, choice of 43mm WP or 46mm Ohlins fork, O-ring chain, Ohlins shock, six speed transmission, Chromoly nickel plated frame (until 2004 when they began powdercoating), oversize spokes, hydraulic clutch, and Boyesen reed valves. Beginning in 2004, the WP forks were dropped in favor of forks from Marzocchi and the Ohlins fork option remained as an upgrade.
• DE specific changes included: simplified wiring harness without turn signal or horn wiring, two button handlebar switch – headlight and kill button, smaller flywheel and smaller output coil, no speedometer/odometer/clock – the cable was installed however, and MC ignition.
• Options for dealers to install included: Dual sport lighting kit, MC front number plate, trial style tail light, taller seat foam, Hebo taper bars, high compression head, 4, 7, 10 or 14 oz flywheel weight, programmable MC ignition for 125, 250 or 300cc.
• GGMA imported the DE, MC and FSE from 2003 through 2006 as the primary base motorcycles and the European EC available through special order. The FSE was the fuel injected four stroke model Gas Gas had been developing since 1999. In 2002/2003 they began importing the FSE400 later to become the FSE450. In 2006, the FSE was made available in 2 displacements, the 450 and 515. Both fuel injected and based on the EC models.